HANOI, VIETNAM - September 27, 2003 - A year after contributing $65,000 to the Vietnam Children's Fund to build an elementary school in the village of Ninh Tien, located in the Hoa Lu District of Ninh Binh Province, representatives of ACE Life returned today to officially dedicate the opening of the new school.
The school dedication in Ninh Tien has particular historical significance due to the presence of Vietnam and America's first two Ambassadors: Le Van Bang, and Douglas "Pete" Peterson, both of whom represented their respective countries when Vietnam and the United States began the process to re-establish diplomatic relations in 1995.
Ambassador Le Van Bang grew up in Ninh Tien community and currently serves as a Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. He noted it was great to see the new school in his home village. "This new school is a wonderful gift to the children of this village. Vietnam benefits by having organizations such as ACE and the Vietnam Children's Fund working together to promote closer ties between our two countries, and for that, I am truly grateful. The construction of this school will forever serve as a symbol of the "reconstruction" of the relationship between Vietnam and the United States. It will also serve generations from this community to help build a strong and prosperous Vietnam."
"This school is a testimony to the continued strengthening of cooperation between the U.S. and Vietnam," said former U.S. Ambassador Pete Peterson, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Children's Fund. "The Vietnam Children's Fund was established to create monuments to Vietnam's future by building a network of schools throughout Vietnam. Being here today to dedicate this school reminds us that, by working together, we can create a brighter future for Vietnam."
"ACE is honored to have joined all of you in building this school and promoting one of Vietnam's greatest assets, its human resources," said Brian Anstey, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACE Asia Life, a component of The ACE Group of Companies. "ACE remains committed to Vietnam's prosperous future and is proud to be a small part of the great works that Vice Minister Le Bang and Ambassador Pete Peterson continue to do for the people of Vietnam."
ACE INA International Holdings, Ltd. is awaiting approval to establish and operate a life insurance company in Vietnam and has maintained a representative office in Vietnam since 1996. ACE INA, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the largest component of the ACE Group of Companies, one of the world's largest and most innovative providers of insurance, reinsurance and financial services.
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ACE INA Holdings Inc., whose ultimate parent is ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), provides insurance and reinsurance products and services through operating subsidiaries for a diverse group of clients around the world. Additional information can be found at www.ace-ina.com.